Earlier this month, 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees were fired. That group does not include firefighters, but many of them serve in roles that help with wildfire prevention. In addition to mass firings, the federal hiring freeze has caused delays for some seasonal wildland firefighters. We talk with environment writer and former wildland firefighter Amanda Monthei about the potential impact on Washington's wildfire season.

Learn more about UW’s misinformation lecture here.

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Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Earlier this month, 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees were fired.&nbsp;That group does not include firefighters, but many of them serve in roles that <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/02/19/nx-s1-5300050/forest-service-layoffs-will-leave-the-u-s-more-prone-to-wildfires-employees-say">help with wildfire prevention</a>. In addition to mass firings, the federal hiring freeze has caused delays for some seasonal wildland firefighters. We talk with <a href="https://amandamonthei.substack.com/">environment writer</a> and former wildland firefighter <a href="https://www.amandamonthei.com/">Amanda Monthei</a> about the potential impact on Washington's wildfire season.
Learn more about <a href="https://www.washington.edu/facultystaff/awards/2025-university-faculty-lecture/?mkt_tok=NTI3LUFIUi0yNjUAAAGYbBAJhgucMONxSKmF-6A6CopoTGt-iHzXcewTP47s2--EcPR8icnpLFUsj9V0uN7K1XwJzz8sPuT9PUElbPyeE39GQ6jAqGZ6ycNtAbrFxfY">UW&rsquo;s misinformation lecture here.</a>
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

A daily news podcast for a curious city. Seattle Now brings you quick, informal, and hyper-local news updates every weekday.

A daily news podcast for a curious city. Seattle Now brings you quick, informal, and hyper-local news updates every weekday.

Seattle Now

Earlier this month, 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees were fired. That group does not include firefighters, but many of them serve in roles that help with wildfire prevention. In addition to mass firings, the federal hiring freeze has caused delays for some seasonal wildland firefighters. We talk with environment writer and former wildland firefighter Amanda Monthei about the potential impact on Washington's wildfire season.

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